There is a growing feeling that time may be running out for one Newcastle United player, and Eddie Howe’s comments after the Boxing Day defeat at Manchester United have only added fuel to that belief.
Newcastle left Old Trafford with another frustrating result, beaten 1–0 by a Manchester United side that did not dominate the game but did enough to take all three points.
A superb volley from Patrick Dorgu proved to be the difference on the night. It was a moment of real quality that settled a tight contest, but it also highlighted a familiar Newcastle problem.
Despite enjoying long spells of control, especially in the second half, Eddie Howe’s side once again failed to score away from home. It is a pattern that has followed them throughout the season and continues to cost them valuable points.
The performance itself was not poor. Newcastle pushed forward with intent after the break and looked capable of turning the game around. Manchester United, under Ruben Amorim, looked vulnerable at times and far from unbeatable. Yet Newcastle lacked sharpness and conviction in the final third, allowing the home side to sit back and protect their narrow lead.
While there were positives to take, individual performances came under scrutiny after the final whistle. Lewis Hall stood out as Newcastle’s most impressive player, constantly driving the team forward and showing energy and creativity.
He looked hungry and fearless, qualities that were missing elsewhere on the pitch. Unfortunately for Newcastle, that urgency was not matched by others in midfield and attack, where influence was limited and confidence appeared low.
There was no single disastrous display, but several players struggled to leave their mark. Some were anonymous, others failed to impose themselves, and a few substitutes made little impact.
Still, attention quickly turned to the goal and whether it could have been prevented. While Dorgu’s strike was technically excellent, there is a feeling that Aaron Ramsdale could have done more to stop it.
That moment may prove costly for Ramsdale, not just in the context of the match, but for his place in the team. With Nick Pope now back available, the goalkeeper position is once again under the spotlight.
Howe’s post-match comments suggested that a decision is close, and Ramsdale’s run in the starting lineup could soon come to an end.
Nick Pope has recently returned to the squad after missing seven matches with a groin injury. At Old Trafford, Howe confirmed that Pope was unavailable not because of fitness issues, but due to illness during the warm-up.
That detail is important, as it means Pope is physically ready to play and could be recalled as soon as the next game.
Newcastle face Burnley on Tuesday, a club Pope knows well from his past. It would not be a surprise if Howe chooses that moment to bring him straight back into the starting eleven. The manager admitted that the number one goalkeeper position is something that will be discussed internally, and an assessment will be made before the next match.
Those words are significant. They suggest that Ramsdale’s place is no longer guaranteed and that Howe is seriously considering a change. While Ramsdale has not been terrible, he has not been flawless either. Earlier in the season, there was strong support for him to take over as Newcastle’s first-choice keeper, but that enthusiasm has cooled in recent weeks.
Statistics also paint a clear picture. Ramsdale has played fewer games than Pope this season, but his save percentage is noticeably lower. Pope currently boasts a save rate of 74.5 percent, while Ramsdale’s stands at just 53.3 percent.
That is a sizable gap and one that matters in a season where Newcastle are conceding regularly and struggling to keep clean sheets.
Pope is not without faults, and no goalkeeper is perfect, but the numbers suggest he is more reliable when it comes to stopping shots. In a team that is already finding goals hard to come by, every saved effort becomes even more valuable.
Howe knows that small margins are deciding games right now, and a dependable goalkeeper can make the difference between a draw, a defeat, or a vital win.
The situation highlights a wider issue at Newcastle. Confidence is fragile, and mistakes feel magnified. Away from home, especially, the team are paying a heavy price for missed chances and lapses at key moments. That puts extra pressure on the defence and the goalkeeper, who are often asked to be perfect just to keep Newcastle in games.
Howe is clearly trying to remain balanced in his approach. He has praised effort and attitude, but he also understands that results must improve quickly. With fixtures piling up and the table tightening, decisions can no longer be delayed. If Pope is fully fit and ready, logic suggests he may soon reclaim his spot between the posts.
For Ramsdale, this is a crucial moment. Competition is part of football, but opportunities can disappear quickly. A few uncertain performances, combined with the return of an established number one, can change a player’s situation almost overnight.
As Newcastle prepare for the next challenge, Howe faces a key call. Stick with Ramsdale and show faith, or bring Pope straight back in and aim for stability at the back. Whatever decision is made, it will send a clear message to the squad that places are earned on form, not reputation.
Time is running out for Newcastle to turn performances into points, and tough choices are unavoidable. For one player in particular, the next team sheet could signal whether his role remains secure or whether his time as a regular starter is coming to an end.
